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Chapter 6 - Ship

Jesse never got an answer about what had happened after their recording session. Ethan got very nervous every time she tried to bring it up, and she invariably backed off. They'd only known each other for a few weeks, after all, and she didn't want to pry.

But after just a few weeks and only one proper video together, Ethan's fandom had already started shipping him and Jesse. 

"I think this was to be expected," Jesse sighed, turning her computer around in her lap to show Ethan a cartoon version of herself hugging a cartoon Ethan around the neck. She tried to pretend to be irritated, deliberately ignoring the warm feeling in her stomach. 

"Yeah," Ethan laughed. His voice went up an octave as he added in a silly tone, "Ooh, that one looks really good, though."

Jesse laughed. "It's really weird, though, having people draw pictures of me," she tilted her head. "Typically I'm the one drawing."

"Well, you can take a break from the drawing, dude," Ethan said, adopting his goofy 'dude' voice. "It's chill, super chill, dude. Sah."

"Sah," Jesse agreed, laughing. "I'd... I'd love to do another video with you, if-if you want."

"Are you kidding? That would be great!" He grinned, eyes lighting up. But the smile vanished, like a cloud drifting over the sun. 

"What's wrong?" Jesse asked, leaning forward. Ethan shook his head, as if to clear it. 

"No, no, it's nothing," he said quickly. "I just wouldn't want the recording to get corrupted. It's been happening a lot lately, you know."

Jesse nodded. "You still have no idea why?"

"...uh- no," Ethan said, after a hesitant pause. Jesse shrugged, looking back to her computer. Stylized versions of herself and Ethan rode together in a little Mario Kart, hurling red shells at passerby and making suspiciously happy eye contact.

Jesse looked up at the real Ethan, whose tongue was poking out as he typed responses to YouTube comments. Jesse smiled to herself. 

"Uh, Ethan?" She said, her voice sounding more nervous than she had hoped. Ethan looked over at her, putting the computer down. Jesse coughed uneasily. "Um, do you think of me as a friend?"

Ethan's eyes widened. He laughed, sounding very nervous himself. "Whoa, uh, right to the point there."

Jesse's face went red. "Y-yeah, ha-ha. Sorry."

Ethan ran his hands through his hair. "I mean, sort of? Like," he looked her in the eyes, steeling himself. "Obviously I like you. And, ah, I'd really like it if we were... more than friends, uh, you know?"

Jesse's stomach turned over on itself. "Yes!" she said quickly. "Ahem. I mean, yes," she slowed herself down. "I'd... I'd really like to be more than friends too."

Ethan looked down, eyes wide. He nodded to himself and gulped, looking slowly back up to Jesse. An optimistic smile spread across his face. "So, uh, I guess the next question is pretty obvious- Jesse Grayson, w-would you like to be my girlfriend?"

Jesse grinned. Her heart soared as she said, "Ethan Nestor, I'd absolutely love to."